Downtown San Diego has become a canvas for the latest TV shows and video games with wraps attached to more than 30 buildings.
Set to be completed before San Diego Comic-Con International kicks off Wednesday night, the advertisements are for everything from the “Lord of the Rings” show to the “The Walking Dead” franchise.
Most of the building wraps are technically illegal. But given that the penalties are lower than the revenue that building owners get from the wraps, they do it anyway.
The city can fine hotels and businesses up to $10,000 a day, but such high sanctions are rare. It is more common for the city to give out warnings or a $1,000 per day citation.
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Some neighborhood groups have complained in past years that the building wraps are a blight on downtown. That contrasts with Comic-Con attendees who enjoy seeing the buildings transformed.
Justin Wu, a local surgeon downtown Monday promoting his Healing Little Heroes Foundation, said that he has seen the scale and quality increase over the years.
“I love it. They are big and colorful,” he said, wearing a Captain America costume. “They keep getting bigger and bigger.”
The company responsible for most of the wraps is New York-based KAP Media Group. The company started with one wrap in 2012 and has seen its business grow each year. It has 25 this year, up from 23 last year and 18 in 2022.
KAP founder Lori Brabant said a lot of work goes into the wraps from picking the colors that will go best with the building to figuring out how to fit around the contours of different properties.
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“These are pieces of art,” she said. “It is very exciting for us to see it come to life.”
Most wraps are attached with an adhesive vinyl, but different materials can be used depending on what the building calls for. Brabant said wraps can cost more than $100,000, but did not want to disclose specifics.
Not all of the building wraps are illegal. The Port of San Diego allows building wraps on land it controls west of Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway.
There are plenty of other advertisements downtown besides wraps. Marvel Studios has banners on flags for the “Fantastic Four” film opening next summer; San Diego Trolley has wraps for “The Sandman” and other properties; the Jack in the Box on C Street was turned into a promotion for the “Deadpool & Wolverine” film; and banners for the new Batman show “The Penguin” are posted along the trolley tracks.
One of the biggest advertisements is on a new three-sided digital billboard outside the Gaslamp Quarter trolley station that will play advertisements for the new Peacock show “Those About to Die” and the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
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Here is a look at some of this year’s building wraps:
Daryl Dixon (“The Walking Dead”)An advertisement for the latest show in the “The Walking Dead” franchise wraps around The Pendry Hotel at 550 J St. Monday ahead of Comic-Con International in San Diego. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Location: The PendryAddress: 550 J St.
AMC’s successful zombie franchise “The Walking Dead” has now stretched into multiple TV shows including “Daryl Dixon,” which covers all of the Pendry San Diego hotel.
The Rings of Power
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An advertisement for the latest show in the “The Lord of the Rings” franchise wraps around 238 Fifth Ave. ahead of Comic-Con International. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Location: Toscana Cafe & Wine Bar buildingAddress: 238 Fifth Ave.
Amazon Prime’s Lord of the Rings show, “The Rings of Power”, is back for a second season. This building was used last year by Prime’s other big franchise, “The Boys.”
Fox AnimationAn advertisement for “Fox Animation Domination” franchise wraps around The Omni Hotel at 675 L St. in downtown San Diego. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Location: The Omni San Diego HotelAddress: 675 L St.
Fox Animation celebrates many of its shows on the hotel, including “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy” and “Bob’s Burgers.” The southern side features Maggie Simpson holding building blocks that spell out SDCC .
Marvel: Contest of ChampionsAn advertisement for Marvel Contest of Champions on the side of the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter at 401 K St. Monday ahead of Comic-Con International. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Location: Hilton San Diego Gaslamp QuarterAddress: 401 K St.
The Contest of Champions game features a big installation in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade with a Ferris wheel. You can see an advertisement for the game, featuring Wolverine, Captain America and Deadpool, on the wall of the adjacent hotel.
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Abbott ElementaryAn advertisement for the ABC show “Abbott Elementary” wraps around Petco Park at 100 Park Blvd. Monday ahead of San Diego Comic-Con International (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Location: Petco ParkAddress: 100 Park Blvd.
The ABC/Hulu sitcom “Abbott Elementary” is getting ready for a fourth season and has been a frequent presence at Comic-Con. For a second year, it covers much of Petco Park.
Anne Rice’s Immortal UniverseVarious advertisements for AMC shows Monday in downtown San Diego.(Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Location: Hilton San Diego Gaslamp QuarterAddress: 401 K St.
AMC’s franchise of shows based on Anne Rice books has now spread into three shows: “Interview with the Vampire,” “Mayfair Witches” and (in development) “Talamasca.”
SpongeBob SquarePants
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An advertisement for the 25 years of “SpongeBob” wraps around The Hard Rock Hotel at 207 Fifth Ave. Monday ahead of Comic-Con International. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Location: Hard Rock Hotel San DiegoAddress: 207 Fifth Ave.
The beloved animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants” is celebrating its 25th year by taking over the entire Hard Rock Hotel. Memes on the building have already been a big hit on social media.
Star TrekAn advertisement for the “Star Trek” shows wraps around Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina at 333 W Harbor Drive on Monday ahead of Comic-Con International. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Location: Marriott Marquis San Diego MarinaAddress: 333 W. Harbor Drive
The biggest wrap this year, at 36,000 square feet, is for Paramount+’s series of “Star Trek” shows.
Elden RingAn advertisement for the video game “Elden Ring” wraps around the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, parking structure at 1 Park Blvd. Monday ahead of Comic-Con International. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Location: Hilton San Diego Bayfront parking garageAddress: 1 Park Blvd
The role-playing game Elden Ring, which won several “best game of the year” awards in 2023, is advertised on a heavily used parking garage near the Convention Center.
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Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesAn advertisement for the Paramount+ show “Tales of the Teenage Ninja Turtles” wraps around the Park 12 apartment building. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Location: Park 12Address: 100 Park Plaza
The latest Ninja Turtles show coming to Paramount+ covers downtown San Diego’s biggest apartment complex, Park 12, which has 718 units.
Oceanside Harbor Beach. (File photo courtesy of @CityofOceanside via X)
A man apparent drowned in the waters near the Oceanside Pier Saturday morning, despite efforts by lifeguards and paramedics to revive him.
The Oceanside Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division and the Oceanside Police Department responded to a report of a missing man at about 4:30 a.m.. Officials said the man was last seen swimming in the ocean about a half-hour earlier.
Lifeguards and police immediately initiated a coordinated search effort using pier vantage points, surveillance cameras and watercraft, but the search was suspended at approximately 5:30 a.m. after no one was found, fire officials said.
“At approximately 10:50 a.m., lifeguards discovered an unresponsive adult male, matching the earlier description, in the water near Lifeguard Tower 12, at Oceanside Harbor Beach,” Division Chief Blake Dorse said in a statement. “The individual was removed from the water, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately initiated.”
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Fire and rescue personnel continued efforts to resuscitate the man on the way to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He is believed to be the one who was reported missing near the pier.
Authorities did not release the man’s name.
“The Oceanside Lifeguard Division reminds the public to exercise caution when entering the ocean, especially during early morning hours or when lifeguards are not actively monitoring the water,” Dorse said. “Always swim near an open lifeguard tower and avoid entering the water alone.”
A decade of unforgettable meals calls for a proper celebration. This April, Herb & Wood marks its 10-year anniversary, honoring ten years of shaping San Diego’s culinary identity from its stylish home in Little Italy.
Since opening in 2016, the restaurant has played a defining role in modern San Diego dining, ushering in a more ingredient-driven, chef-forward era while setting the standard for design, hospitality, and overall experience.
A Month of Throwback Favorites and Celebratory Surprises
To commemorate the milestone, Herb & Wood is celebrating all month long by bringing back a selection of OG favorites alongside the signature dishes that have remained staples over the years.
Order from the anniversary lineup and receive a scratcher ticket for a chance to win prizes like a whole Jamón Ibérico ham leg, a custom Johnny Lane painting, and a coveted “lifetime” branzino card. It’s a fun and fitting way to toast one of San Diego’s most influential restaurants.
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A Collaborative Anniversary Dinner
The celebration concludes with a special four-course anniversary dinner featuring standout chefs from the Puffer Malarkey Collective. Brian Malarkey, Aidan Owens, Tara Monsod, and Kylie Cablayan will come together for an unforgettable evening that highlights their creativity and culinary artistry.
The celebratory menu includes:
Course One
Parker House Rolls with honey herb butter
Oyster & Beef Tartare with smoked oyster mayo, caramelized onion, and beef fat snow
Course Two
Lechon Kawali with grilled strawberries, pickled mustard seeds, pickled Tokyo negi, mustard frill, and strawberry sarsa
Course Three
Woodfired Tenderloin & Charred Prawns with garlic and chili, fennel oil, celery root, and whipped tallow butter
Course Four
Funfetti Cake with blueberry jam, lemon curd, and Swiss meringue buttercream
This one-night-only collaboration is a delicious tribute to Herb & Wood’s legacy and a memorable way to toast ten remarkable years in Little Italy.
A Defining Force in San Diego Dining
Over the past decade, Herb & Wood has become a cornerstone of Little Italy’s vibrant dining scene. Known for its warm ambiance and thoughtfully crafted menu, it continues to set the tone for modern dining in San Diego.
Whether revisiting longtime favorites or discovering something new, this anniversary celebration is the perfect excuse to gather around the table and raise a glass to ten remarkable years.
See you there!
We’ll be celebrating in Little Italy with throwback bites, celebratory pours, and plenty of toasts to ten iconic years at Herb & Wood.
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📆 April 3 – 29, 2026 | Culmination celebration April 30 📍 2210 Kettner Blvd, San Diego 🎟️ Book your table here ℹ️ Click here for updates
The San Diego Wave and their fans deserved every second of the festive Friday morning that played out at Snapdragon Stadium.
Wave personnel and fans erupted in cheers as Catarina Macario, a star striker with San Diego roots who agreed to a record-setting contract, displayed a Wave No. 20 jersey at an introductory news conference.
Macario, 26, has taken injury detours, but stands indisputably as one of the world’s better goal-scorers among women.
The Torrey Pines High School and San Diego Surf alum’s local pedigree may also boost the fifth-year Wave, who through no fault of the club’s current leaders, lost considerable star power in recent years, contributing to an attendance decline.
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At a reported $8 million, the five-year deal is reportedly the most for a women’s soccer player.
Macario, smiling often, labeled her new reality “unreal,” while seated next to Wave sporting director Camille Ashton.
She was 12 when family members, seeking better opportunities, brought her from Brazil to live in San Diego after first visiting Dallas.
“I never would have imagined, I guess, that 12-year-old Cat, not knowing how to speak English, being super scared, would one day come back and get to represent her hometown team,” Macario said. “It’s very special. It’s something I’m very proud of. It will just mean that much more, once I step on the field.”
Catarina Macario, right, holds up her jersey with Camille Ashton, Sporting Director and General Manager, at a news conference held to announce
her signing with the San Diego Wave FC March 27, 2026 in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Denis Poroy)
Ashton called it “a monumental signing.”
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Ashton, formerly Camille Levin, won a national championship with Stanford as a player. She said Macario, who came to Stanford after Ashton turned pro, fits well into the possession-driven, uptempo style the Wave have developed in a season-plus under coach Jonas Eidevall.
“Cat is a world-class player of exceptional quality, intelligence and character,” Ashton said. “Her technical ability, vision and goal-scoring instinct make her one of the most exciting talents in the game today. Just as importantly, she brings a professionalism and competitive drive that will both complement and elevate the high standards already established within our squad.”
Turmoil marked the 2024 season, the franchise’s final one under team president Jill Ellis and coach Casey Stoney.
Ellis fired Stoney, the franchise’s coach since its inception, before midseason. The team’s offense was tedious, leading to a ninth-place finish and the franchise missing the playoff cut for the first time. Ellis, amid reports of a harsh work environment, moved on.
In the first full year under Ashton and Eidevall, the Wave’s offense improved and the team made the playoffs, but was bounced in one game.
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Macario will give the Wave a better chance to rebound at the gate and on the pitch from the exodus of popular stars Alex Morgan (retirement in 2024), midfielder Jaedyn Shaw (traded at her request in January 2025) and defender Naomi Girma (who was transferred to Chelsea later that month for $1.1 million).
The Macario signing comes 16 months after Lauren Leichtman and Arthur Levine, founders of a private equity firm in Los Angeles, completed a $120-million purchase of the Wave.
The record contract “just shows how serious they are about me, and getting the club to succeed even more,” Macario said.
NWSL leaders facilitated the deal as well. Ashton said the league’s adoption four months ago of the High Impact Player Rule, allowing an exception to the salary cap, “came at an incredibly good time.”
Macario said she knows several Wave players and played with versatile fullback Perle Morroni on France’s top club team, Lyon.
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Given that Macario has scored goals at an extraordinary pace throughout her career — with the Surf, Torrey Pines, Stanford, Lyon and Chelsea — there’s only one major concern about how her Wave career will play out:
Health.
A left ACL injury suffered in the final game of her season with Lyon four years ago cost her a full season.
An irritation in her right knee cost her a spot on the U.S. team that won gold at the 2024 Olympics in France.
She was sidelined in recent months at Chelsea, creating uncertainty about her Wave debut.
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“We’re confident her best years are ahead,” Ashton said.
Macario offered no details Friday about when she’ll be ready to play for the Wave, who’ll face Chicago in a home game today.
Smiling, she suggested being in San Diego will improve her health.
“Maybe the skies were a little too gray for me,” she quipped about health setbacks in England and France. “The sunshine will help me heal a little bit quicker.”
For a franchise that was enveloped by clouds in 2024, the forecast grew much brighter Friday.